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May 5, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

We Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously

The Council of Bishops and Connectional Table collaborated last week in developing a new vision statement for the denomination: The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections. See the UMNS story.

Judicial Council decision: A year after discriminatory language was removed from the Book of Discipline, the United Methodist Church’s top court has ruled that a congregation’s trustees cannot declare church facilities off limits if their pastor chooses to officiate a same-sex wedding. The Judicial Council said in Decision 1516 that “a pastor has discretion in deciding whether to perform or not to perform any marriage ceremony.” Read the UMNS story.

During this season of appointments, we pray for Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, the Cabinet, and all the pastors and churches who will be experiencing a change in pastoral leadership on July 1. See the appointment list.

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of Magothy United Methodist Church of the Deaf. The congregations have been pioneers in creating and offering ministries to the Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind people. See the story.

Alison Burdett named interim Director of Communications

Alison Burdett, who has served in the Communications Department of the Baltimore-Washington Conference for 12 years, has been named the Conference’s interim director of Communications. Her current role as Digital Engagement Manager gives her a wealth of experience in telling the stories of how God is at work through the Area’s people, churches, and ministries.

Burdett said she “sees communications as a ministry of connection.” She is “committed to building trust, clarity, and creativity across every channel — believing that good communication is not just about information, but also about building relationships, inspiring action, and encouraging discipleship and community engagement." She begins July 1, when Melissa Lauber, the current director, retires.

Vitality Specialists begin new ministry

As the BWC lives into the possibilities of its new structure, three Vitality Specialists have been hired to serve as consultants for churches seeking to grow in vitality. The specialists will help congregations – regardless of size, location, or current level of vitality – take their next faithful step toward God’s preferred future.

The new specialists are the Rev. Lauren Jones, who currently serves as the BWC’s Congregational Development coordinator; Pastor Timothy “T.J.” Mount, a consultant on church leadership and organizational transformation, and currently pastor of Lisbon UMC; and Dr. Bessie Hamilton, currently associate director of Connectional Ministry for New Faith Communities and Multi-Ethnic Initiatives in the Oklahoma Annual Conference. A specialist is also being hired in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. They begin work on July 1. See the story.

New and Featured Ministries

The 241st session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be held Tuesday, May 13, through Thursday, May 15, at the Hilton Hotel at 401 West Pratt St. in Baltimore. See the Program Book for the information you'll need to participate in the session.

Parking is available at the hotel, but you'll need to reserve it in advance if you want the 60 percent discount. To register, follow this procedure:

• Reserve parking at LAZ Parking - Hilton Baltimore 
• Select PASS (choose how many days you need); enter arrival date and time
• You will see the full rate displayed. Click next
• You will see the total. Click above the total where it says "Have a discount code?"
• Enter "60%" in the box. The discount will be applied and you can proceed with your payment information
• You will need to print out or take a screenshot of the QR code to enter the garage.

Compass, a new clergy retirement plan, will be explained in detail at the Clergy Session of Annual Conference on May 13. Read an overview of the plan, which is expected to give pastors more flexibility and control over their retirement account, and more investment options than they would have with a traditional pension plan.

Applications are now being accepted for the BWC’s Peace with Justice grants. Churches and United Methodist groups can apply online. The deadline is May 16. Learn more.

Talk Saves Lives: an Introduction to Suicide Prevention webinar will be held today at 7 p.m.  The webinar, sponsored by the BWC-UMC Gun Violence Prevention social action team, will cover the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Attendees will learn the risk and warning signs of suicide, and how together, we can help prevent it. Connect to the Zoom session. The Meeting ID is 787 367 8628 and the passcode is 297490.

The Ana A. Brito Foundation of Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg invites everyone to a special Open House celebrating 40 years of empowering immigrants and newcomers through language, literacy, and life skills in the Gaithersburg community on Tuesday, May 20. The gathering will be concurrent with their ESOL, computer, and Spanish classes and the Let's Read Tutoring program. Come at 5 p.m. to take a peek at what the students are learning and stay to learn more from the leaders, share food, and learn about their bold steps for the future. The programs will continue until 8 p.m.

Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Ministers for the Baltimore-Washington Conference Class of 2025-2027 are now being accepted. Learn more and see the online application. The deadline to submit your application is July 1. The next cohort will start in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, conference director of Lay Servant Ministries.

A Deacon Exploration Session will be held May 17 from 10 a.m. to noon on Zoom. This webinar about the history and ministry of the deacon is open to ministry candidates, seminarians, persons discerning clergy orders, and SPRC chairs (or church leaders). Click here to register for the webinar. Questions about the webinar can be sent to Rev. Dr. Leo Yates, the chair of the Order of Deacons.

The Order of Deacons is planning a Day Apart for the Diaconate: Deacons and Deaconesses & Home Missioners for both annual conferences on May 30, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Calvary UMC in Annapolis. The Rev. Dr. Margaret Ann Crain will be the guest speaker. This in-person gathering welcomes ministry candidates, seminarians, provisional deacons, full-member deacons, retired deacons, deacons on loan to both annual conferences, and deaconesses and Home Missioners from both conferences. To RSVP, submit accessibility requests, and share food allergies, please complete this Google form no later than May 15. Questions can be emailed to Rev. Dr. Leo Yates at leoyjr@gmail.com.

Mission trip: St. James UMC invites you to join them on a 10-day study and mission opportunity on Nov. 7-16 with “Give Ye Them To Eat,” a rural development mission in Mexico. Participants will visit the city of Puebla, then spend most of their time near the small town of Tlancualpican, where the Tree of Life Training Center is located. The cost is $1,150, plus round-trip airfare to Mexico City. Contact the Rev. Patricia Abell for more information and an application.

Honoring district superintendent at retirement celebrations

All are warmly invited to celebrate the ministries of the current Baltimore Region’s District Superintendents, the Rev. Dr. Ann Laprade and the Rev. Dr. Wanda Bynum Duckett, as they retire from active service.

The Rev. Dr. Ann Laprade will celebrate 42 years of faithful ministry at a special service on Sunday, June 8 at Fallston UMC. Join us for worship, fellowship, and joyful reflection—RSVP by May 16 at tiny.cc/AnnRetires and share a message at tinyurl.com/yc59ztrx.

The Rev. Dr. Wanda Bynum Duckett will celebrate with three Grace & Gratitude events honoring her ministry as poet, pastor, and superintendent. Everyone is invited to attend any or all parts of the celebration on June 6, June 28, and June 29. Click here to see the flier and here to RSVP through Eventbrite.

Mark your Calendars: Coming This Summer

Seeking inspiration? A Clergy Renewal Retreat will be held June 3-5 at Pecometh Retreat Center at 401 Jack Elliott Way in Centreville. The session, facilitated by the Rev. Dawn Stewart, will be a time to renew your spirit with creativity and reflection. The cost is $255, which includes a single room and meals. Optional spiritual direction is available for $75. Register.

Washington Conference Pilgrimage Bus Trip: On June 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Conference’s annual Pilgrimage Bus Trip will explore the former racially segregated old Washington Conference as we wrestle with questions about race, justice, and equality. This year’s trip focuses on Baltimore sites. Free parking is available at Lovely Lane UMC at 2200 St. Paul St. in Baltimore, where the day will begin and end. The cost is $50 (scholarships are available), which includes the bus, lunch catered by a Black-owned catering company, admission to all sites, interpretation, and a lesson on pilgrimage theology. Full participants can earn 0.6 CEUs. Learn more and register.

The Seeds of Security Charity Golf Tournament will be held at a new location this year, Renditions Golf Club, in Anne Arundel County, on Monday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seeds of Security supports the Area’s ministries with survivors of intimate partner violence and develops safe havens for them. There are a number of opportunities for sponsorship support, including sponsoring a hole for $250. Register to play. For information, contact the Rev. Stacey Cole Wilson.

Intergenerational Ministry: If your church is interested in exploring intergenerational faith formation and ministry, consider attending the InterGenerate Conference, which will be held at Asbury Theological Seminary June 10-12. This year's theme is Connecting Heads, Hands, Hearts of Every Generation, centering on what it means to lean into 1 Corinthians 12:12: More than 50 presenters from all over the world, representing an array of Christian denominations, contexts, and aspects of intergenerational ministry will share academic research, practical workshops, and intergenerational experiences. BWC attendees can save $25 if they register by April 30 using the Promo Code H25Gen24. Find out more at InterGenerate.

The United Methodist Men will hold a National Gathering this summer at Epworth by the Sea on beautiful St. Simons Island, Ga., from July 31 to Aug. 3. This event is shaping up to be a meaningful time of fellowship, spiritual growth, and renewal for men from across the country. Register for the session. Reserve a room.

Save the Date: The United Women of Faith of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area will host Mission u 2025 on Aug. 1 and 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis, MD. The theme will be “Practicing Hope Together.”

Early Educators Conference: The BWC's Directors Roundtable will host an Early Childhood Educator Conference on Aug. 7 at St. Andrews UMC, at 48 Wallace Manor Road in Edgewater. The cost is $75. The theme is "Choose Joy." Learn more and Register.

See a listing of more discipleship ministries and local church events

Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.

See church classified ads

The Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area is hiring a Young People’s Ministry Coordinator to oversee ministry efforts aimed at children, youth and young adults. Learn more.

The Area is also seeking a Latinx/Hispanic/Latino and Multicultural Ministry Coordinator. Learn more.